Air Quality Implications of Post-Combustion Capture in Industrial Processes

Retrofitting existing emission sources with carbon capture systems can alter the emission profile. Emissions of some pollutants[1] may decrease, others may increase, and new substances could be introduced into the environment.[2] Established permitting frameworks, measurement techniques, and emission control approaches in other industrial contexts provide a basis for regulatory assessment of post combustion CO2 capture (PCC) in industrial processes*. Previous comprehensive literature reviews on the impact of carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment on air quality have primarily focused on the coal and natural gas power industries or have not addressed the impacts on co-pollutants (SEPA, 2015; Buvik et al., 2021; Gibbins, Lucquiaud and Samson, 2024; Rochelle, 2024)[3]. The industrial sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, contributing around 25 % (GCCSI, 2016), with key industries such as cement, iron and steel, and refining being responsible for a broad spectrum of pollutants beyond carbon dioxide (CO2). Therefore, there is a clear need for a comprehensive study such as this one. A team of Independent experts from Imperial College London, led by Prof Paul Fennell, were commissioned via Imperial Consultants to undertake this work, which assesses the air pollutant implications of CCS retrofit in heavy industry by comparing baseline emissions from representative host facilities in the cement, iron and steel, and refining sectors prior to capture with emissions expected following CCS integration. A gap analysis was also conducted to identify research areas that are currently underexplored, and the study investigates potential synergies between existing air quality control technologies and CCS systems.